Charlie (Rootney) James, 75, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Florence, South Carolina. Charlie was born on January 21, 1951 to the late Johnnie (Son) James and the late Sallie M. James.

Charlie (Rootney) attended Johnson High School in Timmonsville, South Carolina. He worked as a farmer, for his family and later began working in construction. He has worked several construction jobs on the east coast and beyond, where he met many people, including the late Mr. Julian (Park) Watson who became family. He helped train several of his family members to work machinery and construction work. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener and he loved his horses. He did all the past times mentioned until he became too ill to continue. 

Charlie met his wife Rebecca Ann Thomas in 1968 and was wed to her on December 6, 1969. They bore six children from this union. When he became ill and could no longer care for himself, she and their children cared for him.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Sallie M. James; his  father-in-law, Thurman Gregg and mother-in-law, Rosa Thomas; brothers Willie James, William James, Sr., Hezekiah James, J.L. James, and Johnnie James; sister Sueflisher M. Smith; brothers-in-law King Charles Smith, Edward Simmons, Herman Gregg, Herman Thomas, James Thomas, Chensolar Thomas, and Joe Thomas; sisters-in-law Juliette James, Janie Sue James, Janice McKnight, Shirley Ramsey and Dianne Thomas; one granddaughter Essence Ashanti James; and son-in-law Milton L. Evans.

Leaving to cherish Charlie’s memory are his wife of 56 years, Rebecca Ann James; his children Rebecca Evans and Micheal (Jennifer) James of Florence, SC, Charles (Elizabeth) James of Clinton, MD, Shafronia (Thomas) Blakemore of Bishopville, SC, Shaquana James, and Shelonda James both of Timmonsville, SC; grandchildren Shonquenese Cade, Najee Chappell, Isaiah James, Mary (Patrick) Way, Dai’Jah James, Melvin Carter, Sarabi Jarrell, Omaria Henneghan, Evan Sykes and Taj James; great grandchildren Ethan Crawford, Eyrn Crawford, My’Liah Crawford and Christopher Way; siblings Ruby Lawrence, Fronnie (Simon) Pettigrew,   Alma Dickson, Crystal McLeod, Sally Cooper, Ivey (Leon) Walker and Regitt (Belinda) James; aunts Mary J. White, Moise J. Hall, Barbara J. Bell, Almena McKithen and Eulilian Jones; sisters-in-law Margaret Woods-Dixon, Josephine (Frank) Pompey, Edna Gregg, Janie Mae Briggs, and  Daisy James, Annie (June) James, Brenda Jeffrey, Jessie (Marshall) McIver, Doris James-Taylor, Arlene (Johnny) Mullins, Mary Thomas, Lucille

Warden, Shirley Lee, Ida Gregg, Rose Thomas, Susie Thomas, Jackie  Thomas; brothers-in-law Matthews Thompson, John Thompson, Willie Thomas, William (Diane) Arthur, Leo (Tina) Gregg, Joseph Gregg, Nathan (Debra) Brown, Henry (Gina) Gregg; three bonus siblings, Julie Watson-Friar, Mitch Watson and Scott Watson; two bonus daughters Bernetta Taylor and Raynette Eaddy; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.